SpaceX Developing New Starlink Dish to Deliver Gigabit Internet

SpaceX is reportedly working on a new Starlink dish capable of providing gigabit internet speeds, significantly improving upon the current average download speeds of around 200Mbps. This information came from a webinar presented to Starlink resellers, as revealed by an attendee.

To achieve these faster speeds, customers will likely need to purchase the upgraded dish. Additionally, SpaceX must complete planned upgrades to the Starlink satellite constellation, which involves utilizing a wider range of radio spectrum to enhance the satellite internet network’s performance.

FCC Approval and Next-Generation Satellites

SpaceX is still waiting for approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to proceed with these enhancements. If cleared, these upgrades could enable Starlink to deliver speeds comparable to traditional fiber-optic networks. The new gigabit dish could launch later this year, but its deployment hinges on the success of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle, which is tasked with deploying the third-generation V3 Starlink satellites.

“Next generation, we’ll have smaller beams, more capacity per beam, lower latency,” SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell noted in November, highlighting that the advanced Starlink system could potentially achieve speeds as high as 2 gigabits per second.

Enterprise Focus Before Consumer Rollout

It’s likely that SpaceX will initially target business customers with the gigabit dish, aligning with its usual approach of introducing high-performance services to enterprises before making them available to consumers.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing to release a refreshed version of its flat high-performance Starlink dish for enterprise customers. To clear out existing inventory, the company has already reduced the price of its current flat high-performance dish from $2,499 to $1,499.

New Model Expected After Starlink Mini

SpaceX is also planning to introduce another device following the Starlink Mini dish, which is currently priced at $499 in the US. However, details about the new model remain scarce.

Potential for Speed Improvements on Existing Hardware

While customers may need a new dish to achieve true gigabit speeds, SpaceX’s planned upgrades could still enhance the performance of existing Starlink hardware. According to satellite industry analyst Tim Farrar, SpaceX has requested permission from the FCC to adjust power limits on its current Ku-band links and allow satellites to operate at lower altitudes and angles.

SpaceX has not yet commented on these developments, but industry experts remain optimistic about the potential for increased speeds even for users with current Starlink equipment.